Cultural beliefs, taboos and their influence on menstrual health among ST Women in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal

Abstract

Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is not just a medical problem but also a deeply embedded societal phenomena, especially for Scheduled Tribe (ST) inhabitants living in impoverished locations. The cultural taboos, constraints, and beliefs around menstruation are examined in this study, along with how they affect the menstrual health practices of ST women in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. Data were gathered using a mixed-method approach that included focus groups, household surveys, and in-depth interviews with older members, married women, and teenage girls in a few chosen tribal communities. The results show that eating, moving around, practicing religion, and interacting with others in the home are all restricted since menstruation is frequently seen as immoral. These ideas have a big impact on people's adoption of sanitary menstruation behaviours, which keeps them using risky disposal techniques and conventional absorbents. Intergenerational narratives, inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, limited understanding, and low access to hygienic products all contribute to the perpetuation of these behaviours. The study emphasizes how cultural beliefs influence menstrual health outcomes by interacting with poverty, education, and health infrastructure. From the study ,91% of respondents were accustomed to wearing unclean reusable clothing, and 68% believed that reusable clothing could not pose any health risks. Nearly 52% of women did not obtain any medical assistance for managing problems related to their periods. It ends with suggestions for integrating policies, raising community knowledge, and implementing culturally responsive interventions to help tribal women in the area manage their menstrual health.